Featured Attractions

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Anaheim Vacationland: Stovall's Apollo Inn


Al Stovall loved to give his guests a little something extra. Since his various motels surrounded Walt Disney's fantastic Magic Kingdom, he felt they should reflect the amazing sights found within. The easiest land to replicate back in the swinging sixties was Tomorrowland, so Mr. Stovall took advantage of the public's fascination with the future in designing his motels. Stovall's Apollo Inn reflected the spirit of Tomorrowland with its futuristic architecture. A little bit of Fantasyland was there too in the Wonderland of Topiary Trees.

The Apollo Inn was located south of the current Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel. The DISNEYLAND Hotel can be seen in the background of this picture:





Disney eventually purchased both this motel and all of the surrounding land. The Apollo Inn and everything around it was demolished in the late 1990's when West Street became DISNEYLAND Drive and The DISNEYLAND Resort sprang up around it. The location looks very different nowadays:





The Apollo Inn may be gone, but it certainly isn't forgotten. The spirit of Stovall's amazing Apollo Inn lives on in the hearts of those who made it their home away from home during their trips to Walt Disney's One and Only Magic Kingdom of DISNEYLAND.